National Bike Month Events in Washington

Washington will celebrate National Bike Month with lots of cycling events, rides, and fundraisers throughout the month of May. Photograph courtesy of Flickr user thisisbossi.

Whether you’re an avid cyclist or simply enjoy leisurely
Sunday rides through the park, National Bike Month is a great way
to celebrate those two-wheelers. Don’t know how to do your
part? We rounded up a bunch of local events happening this month,
so take your pick.

Tuesday, May 1Today is the start of the National Bike Challenge, a
free program aimed at getting 50,000 people in the US to bike 10 million
miles. The initiative runs until August 31, and bikers can sign
up online as individuals or with a team. Got a smartphone?
Download the free GPS Endomondo app to track your distance and
upload results. The grand prize includes a trip through California
wine country.

Wednesday, May 9Students, teachers, and parents are encouraged to take part in the first-ever nationwide Bike to School day. To register or
map out your route, click here.

Friday, May 11For one night the Eastern Market will be converted
into a bicycling speakeasy at the Washington Area Bicyclist
Association’s Bikefest annual fundraiser. Check out the silent auction, munch
on hors d’oeuvres, and enjoy specialty drinks while raising
money for the WABA. Or register for the Bikebuild contest and
build a cheap and creative bike. Tickets are $55 and $45 for
WABA members. Click here for tickets.

Sunday, May 13For one Sunday morning every year, riders can explore
DC and Arlington on a 24-mile ride during the Bike DC event. Bikers
will ride past the Capitol, the White House, Arlington
Cemetery, and down Pennsylvania Avenue. For families, there’s an 11-mile
ride. Click here to register.

Friday, May 18Join thousands of other Washingtonians as they pedal
to the office on the annual Bike to Work Day–you’ll probably get there
faster than if you took the Metro, anyway. Register for free;
participants can check in at one of the 58 pit stops and receive
a free Bike to Work T-shirt, score food and drinks, and enter
raffles.

Saturday, May 19, through Wednesday, May 23Climate Ride NYC-DC joins bikers from both cities for a
150-mile ride, starting in Manhattan and ending at the steps of the
Capitol. The five-day tour is for people who have a passion for
sustainability, renewable energy, and cycling, and features
nightly speakers. To sign up, visit the WABA website.

Saturday, May 19History buffs will appreciate the Seventh Annual
Rivers to Rockets Rally, a bike ride past major sites of the War of
1812,
including the oldest operating airfield in the US and the Port
of Bladensburg. The 20-mile route goes through Berwyn Heights
and ends in Greenbelt. Breakfast, lunch, and T-shirts will be
provided for riders. Register online.

Sunday, May 20Head to Baltimore for the BikeJam 2012 Festival and
cheer on the pro road race, attend a bike and health expo, or just enjoy
food and live music. Want more? Sign up for a 12- or 31-mile
ride through the city of Baltimore here.

Local Bike Rides and Info Sessions

Bike Arlington Info SessionsLearn to be a better cyclist every Tuesday, when Bike
Arlington hosts Two Wheel Tuesdays from 7 to 8:30 PM. The bike nights
include informative and interactive sessions on biking in
Arlington, from riding in traffic to proper equipment and attire
to route selection. This month the series will be held at
Courthouse Plaza in the Azalea Room (2100 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington)

Revolution CyclesThe bike shop with five locations in Washington hosts
group rides every Wednesday or Sunday, depending on each store. Rides
range from 10 to 30 miles, and the shop has a no-drop
policy–every rider will be led back to the starting point. Click here
for more information.

The Bike Rack DCThe Logan Circle bike dealer and full-service shop hosts group rides for various levels, including novices, intermediate,
advanced, and commuter. Click here for more information.

City BikesCity Bikes goes on group rides every Saturday and Sunday, though Sundays are reserved for women only. Click here for more
information.

Capitol Hill BikesSunday morning road rides start at this shop in about a
week. Until then, you can join the Capitol Hill Bikes crew for a
moderate
35-mile ride at 9 AM on Sundays and be back in time for brunch
at Barracks Row. Click here for more information.

Do you know of another local Bike Month event that’s not on our list? Let us know in the comments.